Category Archives: Environmental

The DanPaul Foundation

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The DanPaul Foundation was founded by Libby Moore Cornett in memory of her sons Daniel and Paul who drowned along with their father, Mike Cornett, and cousin Bobby Lee Heard when their sailboat foundered in December 1997.

The Foundation’s mission is based on a song lyric by Mike Cornett, “Teach them how to use the tools they’ll need in life.” Through their grants, they improve the lives of children by fighting abuse and neglect, promoting enrichment and growth, and encouraging them to care for the world around them.

Nonprofit organizations can Contact the Foundation at any time to express their interest in applying for a grant. Awards range from a few hundred dollars to $15,000 per year.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in the United States. The organization’s activities may, however, take place anywhere in the world.

Program Areas

  • Workshops, conferences, and seminars – educational opportunities on early childhood development for teachers and parents
  • Student scholarships – financial assistance for students attending post-secondary education institutions
  • Scientific endeavors – science-based projects that hope to improve quality of life for everyone
  • Clean air and water – teaching youth about their responsibility for the environment and the issues facing the Earth’s air and water
  • Child advocacy – protecting children from abuse and neglect through education and assistance
  • Homelessness – encouraging youth to care for the homeless and underprivileged
  • Poverty and neglect – helping those in need and educating youth on their responsibility to care for their fellow humans
  • Refugee enrichment – helping refugee youth adapt to their new homes through education and enrichment

Connecting People to Forests Grant

The Connecting People to Forests Grant is a joint program of the National Forest Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service. It supports community engagement and stewardship activities in the 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands.

Applications are due by June 21, 2024 for projects that can start August 21, 2024 and take no more than 18 months to complete. There is a 1:1 matching requirement of nonfederal funds as well as a required letter of support from the District Ranger of each National Forest or Grassland that is part of the project.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Native American tribal governments and organizations
  • Universities

Potential Activities

Community Engagement

Image by Joe

Potential community engagement activities include:

  • Cleanup days
  • School field trips
  • Outdoor skills training
  • Nature-based therapeutic activities
  • Community science projects

Stewardship

Potential stewardship activities include:

  • Native tree and shrub planting
  • Trail maintenance
  • Invasive species control
  • Forest and watershed restoration
  • Education on sustainable recreation principles 

Evaluation Criteria

https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/national-forests-grasslands/national-grasslands

All applications will be reviewed based on:

  • Strength of engagement  
  • Potential for diversifying beneficiaries  
  • Stewardship benefit 
  • Potential for long-term impact 
  • Feasibility and strength of proposal 

.ORG Impact Awards

The .ORG Impact Awards celebrate people and groups from all over the world who are making a difference in their communities. In 2024, winners will be chosen in 7 categories plus a .ORG of the Year.

The 7 winners will each receive $10,000; other finalists in each category will receive $2,500 apiece. The .ORG of the Year will receive $50,000. Nominations are due by June 19, 2024.

Eligibility

Nominator

To submit a nomination, you must be at least 18 years old and have permission from the nominee.

Nominee

Nominees must be organizations with a website on the .org domain or an individual affiliated with such an organization. Individuals under the age of 18 may be nominated, but if selected, will require a consent form signed by their parent or guardian.

Exclusions

Nominations will not be accepted for people or organizations located in Crimea, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria.

Categories

  • Health and Healing – Providing health and wellness resources including education, vaccine development, and mental health services
  • Quality Education for All – Providing education for everyone regardless of race, gender, or financial status
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Working to increase DEI through policymaking and programs that address systemic injustice
  • Environmental Stewardship – Fighting environmental threats and promoting sustainable consumption
  • Hunger and Poverty – Signficantly contributing to the end of resource inequality
  • Community Building – Changing lives in the community on a local, national, or global scale
  • Rising Star – An individual under 25 as of December 31, 2024 who has led a project or campaign to bring positive change to their community
  • The .ORG Impact Awards .ORG of the Year – Outstanding achievement with significant impact and measurable results. Finalists in the other 7 categories are automatically eligible.

Additional Rewards

In addition to the financial award, winners will receive:

  • A trophy
  • A dedicated .ORG Impact Awards logo mark to use in promotional materials
  • Featured presence in .ORG articles, videos, and social media over the following year
  • Featured presence at the .ORG Impact Awards event in October 2024
  • An invitation and up to $2,000 in travel expenses to attend the .ORG Impact Awards event in October 2024

Barbara McDowell Foundation

The Barbara McDowell Foundation provides grant funding for legal fees related to specific social justice cases in the United States.

Letters of Intent will be accepted June 1-15, 2024 for a grant term of October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025. LOIs submitted before June 1st will be rejected.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations to pay legal fees for social justice cases filed between October 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024.

Criminal cases, individual claims, and amicus briefs are not eligible.

Key Issues

The McDowell Foundation is focused on cases related to:

  • Access to benefits
  • Children’s rights
  • Disability rights
  • Discrimination
  • Domestic violence
  • Due process
  • Environmental justice
  • Healthcare
  • Homelessness
  • Housing
  • Native American rights
  • Prisoner’s rights
  • Refugee and immigration rights
  • Veteran’s rights
  • Voting rights

Ideal cases will:

  • Address one of these areas of interest
  • Have a significant impact on the well being and civil liberties of disadvantaged Americans
  • Set a significant legal precedent

Scoring Criteria

All LOIs will be scored based on:

  • Alignment with mission
  • Social justice impact
  • Financial need

Ravi & Naina Patel Foundation

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The Ravi & Naina Patel Foundation is working to help every human being achieve the happiness that is their birthright. They provide grants to nonprofit organizations around the world that align with their five core pillars and build strategic partnerships to make an even bigger impact.

Grant inquiries as well as your organization’s Form 990 should be sent to amar@rnpfoundation.org.

Five Core Pillars

Homelessness

The Foundation is seeking programs that take different approach to the problem of homelessness. This includes both providing short term services and long term affordable housing solutions.

Education

The Foundation believes in the power of education and supports organizations that help youth learn to be confident and lead joyful lives, as well as reading, writing, and arithmetic.

Environment

A healthy Earth to live on is foundational to all the other core pillars. To address the impacts of environmental destruction, the Foundation supports organizations that are designing innovative solutions and championing environmentally sound policies.

Nutrition

A nutritious diet can feed the body, mind, and spirit, but many people don’t have access to or knowledge of healthy food. The Foundation supports projects that are working to overcome food inequities, provide education, and promote more environmentally friendly farming.

Spirituality

The Patel family believes that spirituality is the true path to happiness and supports organizations that promote mindfulness and meditation.

Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund

The Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund supports projects protecting wildlife and natural ecosystems around the world. Applications for up to $5,000 are due by June 1, 2024 at Midnight ET.

Grantees are required to handle all directly affected animals humanely and preferably have procedural Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee approval. 

Eligibility

This funding opportunity is open to individuals, governmental entities, and nonprofit organizations with appropriate qualifications for the proposed project.

Required Attachments

All applications must have:

  • Project description (2 pages or fewer)
  • Detailed budget
  • Timeline
  • Resume(s) of principal applicant(s)
  • Description of qualifications
  • Nonprofit letter, if applicable
  • Two letters of endorsement
  • Copies of required permits

Submission

Applications may be submitted electronically to Frank.Ridgley@miamidade.gov (preferred) or mailed to:

Zoo Miami Wildlife Conservation Fund 

Zoo Miami 

C/O Dr. Frank Ridgley

12400 SW 152nd Street 

Miami, FL 33177-1499 

KFC Foundation: Kentucky Fried Wishes

The KFC Foundation funds actionable, local level projects in the United States through the Kentucky Fried Wishes program.

Twenty-five grants of $10,000 are awarded each quarter in a different focus area. The next funding cycle will be May 1-31, 2024 for projects focused on Improving Health & Wellbeing.

Eligibility

This grant is open to organizations in the United States who:

  • Have a 501(c)3 nonprofit designation
  • Have maintained good standing with the IRS for 2 years
  • Work at the local level, either individually or as a chapter/affiliate of a larger organization

Allowable Expenses

Grant funds may be used to:

  • Hire professional services necessary to complete the project
  • Purchase equipment necessary to complete the project

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • Salaries
  • Scholarships
  • Ongoing or recurring programs
  • Event sponsorships

Focus Areas

Improving Health & Wellbeing

Image by Marzena P.

Applications for Improving Health & Wellbeing will be accepted May 1-31. Potential projects include:

  • Creating a mobile health clinic
  • Playground improvements
  • Domestic violence shelter upgrades
  • Accommodations for individuals with disabilities

Expanding Access to Food & Shelter

Applications for Expanding Access to Food & Shelter will be accepted July 1-31. Potential projects include:

  • Remodeling a food pantry
  • Creating a community garden
  • Beautifying a community space
  • Repairing and renovating buildings

Caring for the Environment, Animals, & More

Image by Jill Wellington

Applications for Caring for the Environment, Animals, & More will be accepted September 1-30. Potential projects include:

  • Creating a permanent wildlife conservation exhibit
  • Purchasing a new vehicle for mobile vet clinic
  • Park improvements
  • Other reasonable requests not covered under any other focus area

Empowering Through Education & Training

This focus area is currently closed and a new funding cycle hasn’t yet been announced. Potential projects include:

  • Establishing a community-wide CPR certification program
  • Creating an after school literacy program
  • Creating a job skills training program for adults with disabilities

Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program

The Union Pacific Community Ties Giving Program supports projects in Union Pacific communities. Their focus areas are Safety, Workplace Development, Commuity Vitality, and Environmental Sustainability.

Applications are due by May 31, 2024. Awards are typically $5,000 – $30,000.

Eligibility

This grant is open to 501(c)3 nonprofit organizations in Union Pacific communities.

Focus Areas

  • Safety – helping communities prevent and prepare for emergencies and helping residents live safely day to day 
  • Workplace Development – helping underrepresented residents find family-supporting careers
  • Community Vitality – cultural and recreational experiences and providing community members with opportunities to live healthy, vital lives
  • Environmental Sustainability – environmental nonprofits and community-based organizations advancing the health of the environment

Funding Limitations

Grant funds may not be used for:

  • General operating support
  • Event sponsorships
  • Fundraising events
  • Sports events, organizations, and teams
  • Fellowships
  • Research

We Are Together International Prize

The We Are Together International Prize supports initiatives from around the world that are working toward social change through volunteering.

Applications for $10,000 and other benefits are due by May 20, 2024. Submissions may be in English or Russian.

Eligibility

This prize is open to citizens of any nation who are 18 years of age or older and registered nonprofit organizations.

Award

Recipients or laureates will receive:

  • $10,000
  • Expert support
  • Meetings with high-ranking guests, leading experts and public figures in the winning countries
  • The chance to share their project with the world
  • The opportunity to take part in the International Forum of Civil Participation

Focus Areas

  • Healthcare and Emergency Response – Physical and mental health, promotion of physical activity, blood donation, and assisting people during disasters
  • Ecology and Sustainable Development – Environmental protection and education, green economy and technology
  • Equal Opportunities and Social Justice – Improving the lives of vulnerable populations

Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program

The Pollinator-Friendly Practices on Roadsides and Highway Rights-of-Way Program supports projects to implement, improve, or develop a Pollinator-Friendly Practice Plan. The goal of the program is to turn the 3.9 million miles of roadside across the U.S. into pollinator habitat.

Applications for up to $150,000 are due by June 18, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET. The Federal Highway Administration is required to fund all satisfactory applications, which must conform to the Application Template.

Eligibility

This grant is open to:

  • State Departments of Transportation
  • Federal Land Management Agencies
  • Native American Tribes

Eligible Pollinator-Friendly Practices

Applicants may request funding for one or more of the following:

Image by 🌸♡💙♡🌸 Julita 🌸♡💙♡🌸
  • Pollinator-friendly mowing strategies
  • Planting or seeding
  • Removing nonnative grasses from planting and seeding mixes
  • Protecting existing habitat
  • Updating, improving, or further developing the Pollinator-Friendly Practices Plan
  • Implementing a Pollinator-Friendly Practices Plan or an integrated vegetation management plan
  • Obtaining expert training or assistance on pollinator-friendly practices
  • Design, construction, or maintenance to ensure habitat does not negatively impact road safety
  • Outreach to increase public support and/or coordinate with adjacent landowners

Applications Requirements

State Departments of Transportation and Federal Land Management Agencies must provide documentation of:

  • Coordination with applicable State agencies in the development of their Plan
  • Consultation with affected or interested Indigenous tribes in the development of their Plan

Review Criteria

All applications will be reviewed based on:

Merit Criteria

  • Overall Benefits to Pollinator Species and Habitats
  • Context and Connectivity  
  • Roadside Pollinator Project Design and Methods
  • Maintenance and Management  

Project Readiness Criteria

Image by Iupac
  • Environmental Review and Permitting Risk
  • Project Risks and Mitigation Strategies
  • Technical Assessment
  • Financial Completeness Assessment